Blueberry plant named ‘FV1904’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Blueberry plant named ‘FV1904’, characterized by its upright and bushy plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; early fruiting with relatively low chilling requirement; high fruit yield; medium-sized dark blue-colored spherical fruits; sweet fruit taste; and good fruit postharvest longevity.

Botanical designation: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘FV1904’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Blueberry Plant Named ‘FV1906’

Inventor: Niels Arts

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application having application Ser.No. 17/357,842

Title: Blueberry Plant Named ‘FV1907’

Inventor: Niels Arts

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application having application Ser.No. 17/357,863

Title: Blueberry Plant Named ‘FV1908’

Inventor: Niels Arts

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application having application Ser.No. 17/357,871

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR & APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee, FV B.V. of De Kwakel, TheNetherlands on Apr. 6, 2020, application number 2020/0962. Foreignpriority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofBlueberry plant, commonly referred to as Highbush Blueberry, botanicallyknown as Vaccinium corymbosum and hereinafter referred to by the name‘FV1904’.

The new Blueberry plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Kwakel, The Netherlands and Lepe, Spain.The objective of the breeding program was to develop new early-fruitingBlueberry plants with large fruits and good fruit quality, productivity,uniformity and postproduction longevity.

The new Blueberry plant originated from a cross-pollination in 2014 inDe Kwakel, The Netherlands by the Inventor of Vaccinium corymbosum‘Emerald’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,165, as the female, orseed, parent with Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Snowchaser’ disclosed in U.S.Plant Pat. No. 19,503, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Blueberryplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledenvironment in Lepe, Spain in February, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Blueberry plant by stein cuttings in acontrolled environment at Lepe, Spain since June, 2017 has shown thatthe unique features of this new Blueberry plant are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Blueberry have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘FV1904’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘FV1904’ as a new and distinct Blueberry plant:

-   -   1. Upright and bushy plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit.    -   4. Early fruiting with relatively low chilling requirement.    -   5. High fruit yield.    -   6. Medium-sized dark blue-colored spherical fruits.    -   7. Sweet fruit taste.    -   8. Good fruit postharvest longevity.

Plants of the new Blueberry differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Emerald’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry produce fruit about two months        earlier than plants of ‘Emerald’.    -   2. Fruits of plants of the new Blueberry are smaller than fruits        of plants of ‘Emerald’.    -   3. Plants of the new Blueberry have a 150 hour chilling        requirement whereas plants of ‘Emerald’ have a 250 hour chilling        requirement.

Plants of the new Blueberry differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Snowchaser’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry produce fruit earlier than plants        of ‘Snowchaser’.    -   2. Plants of the new Blueberry produce more fruit per plant than        plants of ‘Snowchaser’.

Plants of the new Blueberry can be compared to plants of Vacciniumcorymbosum ‘FV1906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent application filedconcurrently having application Ser. No. 17/357,842. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Blueberry differ from plants of ‘FV1906’in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry produce slightly smaller fruits        than plants of ‘FV1906’.    -   2. Fruits of plants of the new Blueberry are less firm than        fruits of plants of ‘FV1906’.    -   3. Fruits of plants of the new Blueberry are sweeter than fruits        of plants of ‘FV1906’.

4. Plants of the new Blueberry produce more fruit per plant than plantsof ‘FV1906’.

Plants of the new Blueberry can be compared to plants of Vacciniumcorymbosum ‘FV1907’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent application filedconcurrently having application Ser. No. 17/357,863. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Blueberry differ from plants of ‘FV1907’in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry are more upright than plants of        ‘F1907’.    -   2. Plants of the new Blueberry have a 150 hour chilling        requirement whereas plants of ‘FV1907’ have a 100 hour chilling        requirement.    -   3. Plants of the new Blueberry produce slightly smaller fruits        than plants of ‘FV1907’.    -   4. Plants of the new Blueberry produce more fruit per plant than        plants of ‘FV1907’.

Plants of the new Blueberry can be compared to plants of Vacciniumcorymbosum ‘FV1908’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Patent application filedconcurrently having application Ser. No. 17/357,871. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Blueberry differ from plants of ‘FV1908’in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry have a 150 hour chilling        requirement whereas plants of ‘FV1908’ have a 100 hour chilling        requirement.    -   2. Plants of the new Blueberry produce slightly smaller fruits        than plants of ‘FV1908’.    -   3. Fruits of plants of the new Blueberry are sweeter than fruits        of plants of ‘FV1908’.    -   4. Plants of the new Blueberry produce more fruit per plant than        plants of ‘FV1908’.

Plants of the new Blueberry can also be compared to plants of Vacciniumcorymbosum ‘Star’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Blueberry differ from plantsof ‘Star’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Blueberry are more upright than plants of        ‘Star’.    -   2. Plants of the new Blueberry are more vigorous and larger than        plants of ‘Star’.    -   3. Plants of the new Blueberry have larger leaves than plants of        ‘Star’.    -   4. Plants of the new Blueberry have a 150 hour chilling        requirement whereas plants of ‘Star’ have a 400 hour chilling        requirement.    -   5. Plants of the new Blueberry produce slightly smaller fruits        than plants of ‘Star’.    -   6. Plants of the new Blueberry produce more fruit per plant than        plants of ‘Star’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the appearance of thenew Blueberry plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Blueberry plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view oftypical flowering and fruiting plants of ‘FV1904’.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view oftypical flowers and fruits of ‘FV1904’.

The photograph on the third sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up view of typicaldeveloping and developed fruits of ‘FV1904’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs, following observations and measurementsdescribe plants grown during the spring, summer and autumn in groundbeds in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in Lepe, Spain and undertypical cultural practices of Blueberry plant production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures averaged 26° C. and nighttemperatures averaged 13° C. Plants were pinched and were two years oldwhen the photographs and description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Vaccinium corymbosum ‘FV1904’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Emerald’,            disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,165.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Snowchaser’,            disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,503.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By stein cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three weeks at            temperatures about 26° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About six            weeks at temperatures about 26° C.        -   Root description.—Fine in thickness, fibrous, typically            white to brown in color, actual color of the roots is            dependent on substrate composition, water quality,            fertilizer type and formulation, substrate temperature and            physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Shallow rooting; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright and bushy plant habit;            vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate; plants            produce fruit on one-year and current season's shoots.        -   Plant height.—About 142 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—About 40 cm.-   Branch description:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About eight primary branches each with            about ten secondary branches each; pinching enhances            branching potential.        -   Length.—About 50 cm to 60 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 8 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 2 cm to 2.5 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Mostly upright.        -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; matte.        -   Color, developing and developed.—Close to 144B; in the            autumn, tinged with close to 176C to 176C; if woody, close            to 199B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; simple.        -   Length.—About 5.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.6 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            semi-glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth to rugose,            glabrous; matte.        -   Venation.—Pinnate and reticulate.        -   Color.—Developing and fully expanded leaves, upper surface:            Close to 137A; in the autumn, tinged with close to 176C to            176D; venation, close to 144D. Developing and fully expanded            leaves, lower surface: Close to 138B; in the autumn, tinged            with close to 176C to 176D; venation, close to 144D.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Strength: Low. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color, upper and lower surfaces:            Close to 147B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower form and flowering habit.—Single urceolate-shaped            flowers arranged in panicles; freely flowering with about 20            to 30 flowers per inflorescence and about 800 to 1,500            flowers developing per plant during the flowering season;            flowers, drooping and longitudinally ridged; flowers not            persistent.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—In Lepe, Spain plants typically            flower in October.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Shape: Ovoid. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to 144B; no anthocyanin observed.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 15 cm to 25 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 5 cm to 10 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 1 cm.        -   Flower depth (height).—About 1 cm to 1.5 cm.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals, fused. Length: About 1 cm.            Width: About 5 mm. Shape: Urceolate. Apex: Cuspidate.            Margin, distal free part: Entire; moderately undulate.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close            to NN155B tinged with close to 186D. When opening, lower            surface: Close to NN155B. Fully opened, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to NN155B; venation, close to NN155B; color            becoming closer to 164A with development.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Five sepals, fused; erect and straight.            Calyx length: About 5 mm. Calyx width: About 7 mm. Shape:            Ovate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            When developing, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 138B.            Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 138B; in            the autumn, tinged with close to 176C to 176D.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 5 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm to 4 mm.            Strength: Strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            matte. Color: Close to 138B; in the autumn, tinged with            close to 176C to 176D.        -   Pedicels (flowers and fruits).—Length: About 5 mm to 10 mm.            Diameter: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and            luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 138B; in            the autumn, tinged with close to 176C to 176D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About            ten. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament color: Close to            164A. Anther size: About 2 mm by 2 mm. Anther color: Close            to 164A. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to            155D. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length:            About 5 mm. Stigma diameter: About 1 mm. Stigma shape:            Rounded. Stigma color: Close to 143C. Style length: About            8 mm. Style color: Close to 143C. Ovary color: Close to            143C.        -   Fruits.—Type: Berry. Quantity: One per flower; about 2 to 4            kilograms of fruits are formed on one-year old plants. Time            to ripening: About one week. Keeping quality: Good            postproduction longevity, about two weeks. Size: Medium,            about 1.5 cm by 1.7 cm. Weight: About 2.1 g. Shape: Roughly            spherical. Firmness: Medium. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Flesh color: Close to 144D. Skin color,            developing: Close to 143C. Skin color, developed: Close to            103A; bloom, close to NN155A. Taste: Very sweet; brix, close            to 14.15%.        -   Seeds.—Quantity: About 10 to 20 per berry. Length: About            2 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous.            Color: Close to 164A.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Blueberry    have been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Blueberry plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Blueberry have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 2° C. to about    40° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zone 10.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Blueberry plant named ‘FV1904’ asillustrated and described.